Korean language not meant to replace Filipino in school curriculum – DepEd
The Korean language classes that were reported to be offered in some of the schools in Metro Manila are not to replace the Filipino subject in the basic education curriculum, clarified the Department of Education (DepEd) on Sunday.
“The study of the Korean language is elective and not part of the core subjects of around 700 learners in 10 selected junior high schools (JHS) in the National Capital Region,” said DepEd in a statement, adding that aside from Korean, the Special Program in Foreign Language (SPFL) classes in public schools will include Spanish, French, German, Chinese, and Japanese.
DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones emphasized that despite the DepEd’s goal of developing the foreign language skills of students, Filipino remains a part of the core subjects in the basic education curriculum.
She adds that Panitikan will continue to serve as a springboard for discussion of grammar lessons, as well as strengthening the Filipino identity and culture. Also, the medium of instruction for Araling Panlipunan and Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao will still be in Filipino.
In addition, the Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) is being implemented in all public schools from Kindergarten to Grades 1,2, and 3.
The DepEd clarifies that the inclusion of the Korean language in DepEd’s SPFL was finalized last June 2017, through a memorandum of agreement between South Korea and the Philippines.
In addition, the DepEd explains that only the students from Grades 7 to 10 who have a demonstrated mastery in Filipino and English shall be qualified to take the Korean language.
Sentro ng Wikang Filipino to appeal SC decision
In related news on the Filipino language and the educational system, the Sentro ng Wikang Filipino (SWF) will be requesting an appeal for the Supreme Court decision to lift a temporary restraining order on the exclusion of Filipino and Panitikan as core college courses.
“Patuloy ang paglaban para isulong at ipagtanggol ang Wikang Filipino at Panitika ng Pilipinas para hindi tuluyang mawala sa curriculum ng estudyante sa kolehiyo,” said Rommel Rodriguez, SWF director.
